Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price is leading efforts to help grocery store workers, small businesses and seniors in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
In March, Councilmember Price introduced legislation that adds protections for grocery and drug store employees, as well as food delivery workers. This includes giving workers time to wash their hands, access to hand sanitizers, disinfectant cleaning products and other necessary protective gear, as well as free coronavirus testing and flexible work schedules to address childcare and family needs. The proposal also calls for an ordinance to regulate food delivery businesses like Instacart and Uber Eats to ensure there are protocols in place to keep drivers, shoppers and customers safe.
“These are workers that are on the front lines of this public health emergency and we have to make sure they have the protections they need throughout their shifts,” Councilmember Price added. “The goal of the package is for the safety and protection of the employees and customers.”
In an effort to aid small local businesses, Councilmember Price co-introduced a motion to provide $11 million in funding to create the Small Business Emergency Microloan Program. The program, which will benefit low-income areas within the City of Los Angeles, will be administered by the Economic and Workforce Development Department (EWDD) and includes no-fee microloans of $5,000-$20,000. Applications are available online at https://ewddlacity.com/index.php/microloan-program
“As the Chair of the Economic Development Committee, I’m especially concerned for what this public health crisis means for our small businesses, in particular for underserved areas such as in my District,” said Councilmember Price who represents the 9th District. “It’s important not only to support but also maintain our current businesses. This initiative can go a long way in alleviating the concerns that are weighing heavily on our business community.”
In a push to help assist the local senior citizen community, Councilmember Price launched this week a free emergency meal delivery program. The new service is part of a collaboration with Everytable, which makes nutritious, fresh food affordable and accessible to all. The local effort will help feed 700 individuals 65 and older from District 9 during the COVID-19 crisis.
“Our Senior community should not have to worry about where their next meal is coming from,” said Councilmember Price. “These are uncertain times we are in and it is important for us to do what we can to pull our resources together to ease the minds of some of our most vulnerable, to keep our community strong and focused on staying healthy.”
